Low Flow Power Plant

ABSTRACT

A power plant and method for harnessing power from a source of working fluid. The power plant may include a power shaft that includes a first power gear, a first reciprocating engine situated proximate to the power shaft and connected to the first power gear for delivering a power stroke. The first reciprocating engine may include a first bucket assembly which comprises a first bucket mounting frame, a first bucket, and a first connecting mechanism that connects the first bucket to the first bucket mounting frame to form a first hinge that pivots about a first pivot axis such that the first bucket creates a turning moment about the first pivot axis, and a first locking mechanism for selectively locking the first bucket in the first bucket mounting frame.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.61/597,506 filed on Feb. 10, 2012, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a device and system forharnessing energy associated with fluids flowing from a low elevationpotential. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus andmethod which is suitable for generating power from a water sourcecharacterized by relatively low total dynamic head.

BACKGROUND

Hydropower comes from converting energy in flowing water into usefulmechanical power. This power may be converted into electricity using anelectric generator or may be used directly to operate machines. In manyhydropower systems there may be a head and a flow rate below which thereis no advantage in trying to obtain power. Thus, a need exists for ahydropower plant that is operable under low flow conditions.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for harnessingpower from a source of working fluid. The apparatus may include a powershaft that includes a first end, a second end spaced from the first end,and a first power gear disposed between the first end and the secondend. The apparatus may include a first reciprocating engine situatedproximate to the power shaft and connected to the first power gear fordelivering a power stroke. The first reciprocating engine may include afirst bucket assembly. The first bucket assembly may include a firstbucket mounting frame, a first bucket, a first connecting mechanism thatconnects the first bucket to the first bucket mounting frame to form afirst hinge that pivots about a first pivot axis such that the firstbucket creates a turning moment about the first pivot axis, and a firstlocking mechanism for selectively locking the first bucket in the firstbucket mounting frame.

The apparatus, further, may include a first bucket filling station forfilling the first bucket with working fluid. The first bucket fillingstation may include a first upper stop and a first lower stop, the firstlower stop being selectively moveable between a first deployed positionand a first retracted position. The first bucket filling station mayfurther include a first lever for selectively retracting the first lowerstop. The first lever being moveable between a first closed position anda first open position such that when the first lever is in the firstclosed position the first stop is in the first deployed position andwhen the first lever is in the first open position the first stop is inthe first retracted position.

Also, the apparatus may include a working fluid distribution system fordelivering working fluid to the first reciprocating engine. The workingfluid distribution system may include a tank for storing working fluid,a first fill port in fluid communication with the tank, and a workingfluid discharge system for discharging working fluid from the firstreciprocating engine to complete the power stroke. Further still, theapparatus may include a first trip switch activator for releasing thefirst bucket assembly locking mechanism, and a control system forresetting the first reciprocating engine following completion of thepower stroke.

In another aspect of the present invention, the first reciprocatingengine may include a first counterweight, a first drive chain thatcomprises a first portion which is connected to the bucket assembly, asecond portion which is connected to the first counterweight, and athird portion interconnecting the first portion and the second portion.Further still, the first reciprocating engine may include a first gearset which comprises a first ring gear in working contact with the firstpower gear for transmitting rotational motion to the power shaft.

In another aspect of the present invention, the first reciprocatingengine further comprises a first positioning gear disposed between thefirst gear set and the first counter weight. The first gear set mayinclude a first transmission gear in working contact with the thirdportion of the first drive chain, and a first ratcheting mechanismdisposed between the first ring gear and first the transmission gearsuch that rotating the first transmission gear drives the first ringgear in the same direction and counter-rotating the first transmissiongear does not affect rotation of the first ring gear.

In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus may include asecond power gear disposed on the power shaft between the first powergear and the second end. Furthermore, the apparatus may include a secondreciprocating engine proximate to the power shaft which is connected tothe second power gear. The second reciprocating engine may include asecond bucket assembly, and a second gear set which comprises a secondring gear in working contact with the second power gear for transmittingrotational motion to the power shaft. The second reciprocating enginefurther may include a second counterweight and a second drive chain. Thesecond drive chain may include a fourth portion connected to the secondbucket assembly, a fifth portion connected to the second counterweight,and a sixth portion interconnecting the fourth portion and the fifthportion.

In another aspect of the present invention, the second reciprocatingengine may further include a second transmission gear in working contactwith the sixth portion of the second drive chain, and a secondratcheting mechanism disposed between the second ring gear and thesecond transmission gear such that rotation of the second transmissiongear drives the second ring gear in the same direction andcounter-rotation of the second transmission gear does not affectrotation of the second ring gear. The second reciprocating engine mayfurther include a second positioning gear disposed between the secondgear set and the second counter weight.

In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus may include asecond bucket filling station which includes a second upper stop, asecond lower stop, the second lower stop being selectively moveablebetween a second deployed position and a second retracted position, anda second lever for selectively retracting the second lower stop whichcomprises a second closed position and a second open position such thatwhen the second lever is positioned in a second closed position thesecond stop is in the second deployed position and when the second leveris in the second open position the first stop is in the second retractedposition.

In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus waterdistribution system may include an inflow structure in fluidcommunication with the tank for conveying working fluid to theapparatus, an outflow structure in fluid communication with the tank, afirst drop basin situated hydraulically down gradient of the tank andlocated below a first target location, a second drop basin situatedhydraulically down gradient of the tank and located below a secondtarget location, a spigot in fluid communication with the outflowstructure and disposed between the tank and the first and second dropbasins such that the spigot is moveable from the first target locationto the second target location. The water distribution system may furtherinclude a first fill port in fluid communication with the first dropbasin which is situated above the first bucket assembly, and a secondfill port in fluid communication with the second drop basin, which andsituated above the second bucket assembly.

In another aspect of the present invention, the first locking mechanismmay include a first strike secured to the first bucket, and a firstcatch, which comprises a first lever arm, and which is secured to thefirst bucket mounting frame, the first catch being movable between afirst closed configuration such that the first strike is interlockedwith the first catch to selectively lock the first bucket in the firstbucket mounting frame, and a first open configuration such the firststrike is not interlocked with the first catch, and the first catch isbiased in the first closed configuration and oscillation of the firstlever arm away from the first closed configuration positions the catchin the first open configuration.

In another aspect of the present invention, the first bucket mountingframe includes a plurality of guides to restrain movement of the bucketmounting frame, and the working fluid discharge system further includesa first pair of kick plates disposed below the first bucket assembly anda second pair of kick plates disposed below the second bucket assembly.

In another aspect of the present invention, the control system furthermay include a first ramp situated below the first pair of kick plates, afirst water catch disposed on the first ramp, the first water catchbeing linked to the second lever such that movement of the first watercatch down the first ramp causes the second lever to move to the secondposition, and causes the spigot to move to the first target location.The control system may further include a second ramp situated below thesecond pair of kick plates, a second water catch disposed on the firstramp, the first water catch being linked to the first lever such thatmovement of the second water catch down the second ramp causes the firstlever to move to the second position, and causes the spigot to move tothe second target location. Additionally, movement of the first watercatch down the first ramp may cause the second water catch to move upthe second ramp, and movement of the second water catch down the secondramp may cause the first water catch to move up the first ramp.

In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus may include a framefor supporting the first reciprocating engine. The first bucket mayinclude a first kick and the frame may include a brace such that upwardmovement of the first bucket assembly away from the first pair of kickplates causes the brace to strike the first kick, rotating the firstbucket into a vertical orientation and setting the first lockingmechanism in the first closed configuration.

In another aspect of the present invention, the second end may beconnected to a mechanical device such that rotation of the second endpowers the mechanical device. The mechanical device may be a pump or agenerator.

Also, the present invention relates to a method of harnessing power froma source of water. The method may include providing the apparatus of thepresent invention, connecting the source of water to the tank, fillingthe first bucket with water at the first bucket filling station,retracting the first lower stop to initiate a first power stroke,lowering the first bucket toward the first trip switch activator,rotating the first gear set to drive the first power gear and rotate thepower shaft, releasing the first bucket assembly locking mechanism tocomplete the first power stroke, discharging water from the firstreciprocating engine, securing the first bucket on the first lower stop,and powering a mechanical device which is connected to the power shaft.

In another aspect of the present invention, the method may includeproviding a second reciprocating engine, and operating the first andsecond reciprocating engines in lead lag operation to rotate the powershaft

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutepart of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention,and together with the general description given above and the detaileddescription given below, serve to explain the features of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a low flow power plant of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the power plant of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the power plant of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the power plant of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the power plant of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the power plant of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a partial section view of the power plant of FIG. 3, showingthe right side reciprocating engine about halfway through a powerstroke;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of the right side bucket assembly atthe bucket filling station;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the left side bucket assembly at the bucketdischarge station;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a bucket locking mechanism;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the water discharge system;

FIG. 12 is a front view of one operational configuration of the powerplant of FIG. 1 showing the right side bucket assembly at the bucketfilling station and the left side bucket assembly at the bucketdischarge station;

FIG. 13 is a side view of selected components of a reciprocating enginein the fill configuration;

FIG. 14 is a side view of selected components of a reciprocating enginein the discharge configuration;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the control system in the right side fillconfiguration;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the control system in the left side fillconfiguration;

FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view of a reciprocating enginedischarging water at the bucket discharge station;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of the power plant of FIG. 1 situatedbetween a hatchery fish tank and a pond;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of the power plant of FIG. 1 with a powertake off connected to an electric generator that is used to powerelectrical equipment or devices;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of the power plant of FIG. 1 with a powertake off connected to a hydraulic pump that is used to operate ahydraulic drive system; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of multiple power plants of FIG. 1 withhydraulic pumps connected in series to drive the hydraulic motor.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a power plant 10 of thepresent invention, which includes a frame 12, two reciprocating engines14 (herein after 14 a (right side reciprocating engine), 14 b (left sidereciprocating engine)) a power shaft 16, a water distribution system 18,a water discharge system 20, and a control system 22.

As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 12 may include a vertical front partition24, a vertical rear partition 26, and a number of joists 28 that connectthe front and rear partitions. The front partition 24 may include a pairof vertical members 30, a header 32, and a horizontal brace 34. The rearpartition 26 may include a pair of vertical members 36, an upperhorizontal member 38, and a horizontal brace (not shown). The joist 28may be spaced perpendicular to the front and rear vertical partitions.The joist may bear on the front partition 24 and may be hung on the rearpartition 26. The frame 12 may also include diagonal cross braces 40 tostrengthen the structure. In the exemplary embodiment, the frame 12 ismade from lumber. Although the frame may be constructed from wood, anysuitable material, such as steel, may be used to construct the frameprovided the material provides sufficient strength and support to thepower plant. In the exemplary embodiment, the frame 12 has a height ofapproximately 60 inches, a width of approximately 46 inches, and a depthof approximately 38 inches.

The frame 12 may support the other components of the power plant. Forexample, the front partition 24 may support the reciprocating engines 14a, 14 b the water discharge system 20, and elements of the waterdistribution system 18 and control system 22. Disposed at the top of thefront partition are two gear sets (or gearings) 42 a, 42 b that formpart of the reciprocating engines 14 a, 14 b, which drive the powerplant 10. Each gear set 42 a, 42 b, includes a transmission gear 44 a,44 b a ring gear 46 a, 46 b and an intermediate ratcheting mechanism 48a, 48 b. Each ring gear 46 a, 46 b and transmission gear 44 a, 44 b maybe connected such that turning the transmission gear in one direction(e.g., clockwise) turns the associated ring gear in the same direction,but turning the transmission gear in the opposite direction (e.g.,counter-clockwise) does not. The teeth on each ring gear may be cut totransmit power. Each gear 42 a, 42 b set may be mounted between a pairof opposing steel flanges 50. Each pair of steel flanges 50 may projectforward from the front partition, and the axis 52 of each gear set maybe positioned and secured by the flanges 50 such that the ring gear 46set is above the front partition 24 and the forward facing side of thetransmission gear 44 a, 44 b is vertically aligned with the bucketmounting frame 54. In one embodiment, the transmission gear is a 4½ inchdiameter steel sprocket and the ring gear is a 12 inch diameter castiron power gear.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6, the front partition 24 may support theworking space (or track) of each reciprocating engine 14 a, 14 b. Forexample, the front partition 24 may include an upper stop 56 a, 56 b, aselectively moveable lower stop 58 a, 58 b, a discharge seat 60, andguide wires 62. Guide wires 62 may form a track that is positioned belowa gear set 42 a, 42 b to constrain movement of the associated bucketassembly 64 a, 64 b along a generally linear path which traversesbetween an upper bucket filling station 66 a, 66 b and a lower bucketdischarge station 68 a, 68 b. The front partition may further include abucket fill port 70 a, 70 b proximate to each bucket filling station 66a, 66 b and a trip switch activator 72 a, 72 b for unlatching the bucketassembly 64 a, 64 b at the discharge station 68 a, 68 b, as well as ahorizontal brace 74 for re-latching the bucket 76 a, 76 b into avertical orientation within the bucket assembly 64 a, 64 b duringrecoil.

The front partition 24 may support (or include) water discharge stations68 a, 68 b. Each water discharge station 68 a, 68 b may be attached to ahorizontal brace (or strap) 34 that is positioned several inches abovethe base of the frame. The horizontal brace may include an upper ledge78 that supports the discharge seat 60 and angled kick plates 80, whichassist in pivoting the bucket 76 a, 76 b into the discharge position 82(FIGS. 14 and 17). The water discharge station further may include apair of sieves (or water catches) 84 a, 84 b. Each water catch 84 a, 84b may be a container 86 that is mounted on a set of rollers 88 (FIG.17). The rollers 88 may be disposed on a ramp 90 that slopes downwardand away from the upper ledge 78. The ramp 90 may have a slope ofapproximately 0.3 ft/ft, as the ramp in the disclosed embodiment rises5½ inches over a horizontal distance of 19 inches.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the water catches 84 a, 84 b may beconnected by an elongate member 162 that is free to pivot about a pointapproximately midway between the water catches. Additionally, a steelcable 92 a enclosed with a brake line hose may connect the right watercatch 84 a to the left selectively moveable lower stop 58 b. Similarly,another steel cable 92 b enclosed within another brake line hose mayconnect the left water catch 84 b to the right selectively moveablelower stop 58 a. The cables 92 a, 92 b may be threaded through holes oreyelets on the front partition members (not shown). In the exemplaryembodiment, the cables are three sixteenth inch ( 3/16″) diameter,steel, brake line cables. More specifically, the cables 92 a, 92 b maybe connected to lever handles 94 a, 94 b of the respective latch boltsthat serve as the selectively moveable lower stops 58 a, 58 b.Additionally, the handles 94 a, 94 b may be interconnected to form aclosed mechanical control circuit. A lever 98 from the waterdistribution system, which is secured to the water spigot, may befurther connected to the closed mechanical control circuit.

Referring to FIG. 1, the joists may support the power shaft 16, powerreceiving equipment 100 (e.g., an electrical generator or hydraulicpump), the equalization tank 102, and elements of the water distributionand control systems. The power shaft 16 may be disposed on the top ofthe ceiling joist. The power shaft may be secured within mountingbrackets that are fixed to the ceiling joists. In the exemplaryembodiment, the power shaft is made from steel and has a diameter ofapproximately seven eighths of an inch (⅞″). The power shaft may includetwo power gears 104 a, 104 b that each mesh with one of the ring gears46 a, 46 b on the front partition. The power gears 104 a, 104 b and ringgears 46 a, 46 b being interconnected such that rotation of one ringgear causes the power shaft 16 to rotate. In the exemplary embodiment,the power gears are two inch diameter steel gears. One end portion ofthe power shaft may form a power take off for operating externalequipment or loads. The power take off may possess a non circular crosssection such that the power shaft may be able to deliver greater torqueto connected equipment that may be mounted and secured on the joists.For instance, without limitation, the connected equipment 100 may be anelectrical generator or a hydraulic pump.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the joists may be used to support theequalization tank 102. The equalization tank (e.g., a fifteen galloncapacity plastic container) may be positioned to receive influent water(or the working fluid) from a water supply via inflow port 108. Anoutflow port 106 of the equalization tank may be disposed below theinflow port 108 and connected hydraulically to a central waterdistribution spigot 110. Referring to FIGS. 6, 15 and 16, piping andfittings 164 a may connect the outflow port 106 to a spigot feed dropbasin 112. Additional fittings and piping 164 b may connect the spigotfeed drop basin 112 to the spigot 110 which may be secured to the joist.The spigot 110 may be disposed above (and movable between) a right sidedrop basin 114 and a left side drop basin 116. These drop basins may bedisposed on a beam hung from the ceiling joists. Additional piping andfittings 164 c may be used to hydraulically connect the right and leftside drop basins 114, 116, to the right and left side fill ports 70 a,70 b, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the power plant 10 may include tworeciprocating engines 14 a, 14 b, each of which may be substantiallyidentical to the other. Each reciprocating engine 14 a, 14 b, maypossess a gear set 42 a, 42 b, a bucket mounting frame (or horse shoebracket) 54 a, 54 b, a bucket (or similar container) 76 a, 76 b, a drivechain 118 a, 118 b, and a counterweight 120 a, 120 b. The gear set 42 a,42 b of each reciprocating engine 14 a, 14 b may be positioned adjacentto the power shaft 16 atop the power plant frame 12. As shown in FIG.17, one end of the drive chain 118 a may be connected to the bucketmounting frame 54 a, and the opposite end of the drive chain may beconnected to the counterweight 120 a. The drive chain 118 a may be drawnover the transmission gear (or bucket gear) 44 a, and a counter weightpositioning gear 122 a. In one embodiment, the drive chain 118 a is abicycle chain, the transmission gear 44 a is an approximately four inchdiameter sprocket on a ten speed bicycle cog set, and the counter weightpositioning gear 122 a is a bicycle rear derailleur. Additionally, thebucket 76 a may be sized such that when it is nearly full of water, itis sufficiently heavy to pull the drive chain 118 a about thetransmission gear 44 a and raise the counterweight 120 a as it descendsfrom the bucket filling station 66 a located near the top of the frameto a bucket discharge station 68 a located near the base of the frame.The counterweight 120 a may be sufficiently heavy such that it quickly,reliably, and smoothly raises the empty bucket assembly 64 a from thebucket discharge station 68 a to the bucket fill station 66 a. In theexemplary embodiment, the power shaft 16 and the gear set 42 a isapproximately five feet from the ground, the bucket 76 a is afive-gallon bucket, the counterweight 120 a is a nail container filledwith approximately six pounds (5 lbs. 13 oz.) of gravel, and the recoilof the empty bucket assembly 64 a from the bucket discharge station 68to the bucket fill station 66 is completed in approximately two seconds.

Additionally, the transmission gear 44 a may be connected to a ring gear46 a. The ring gear 46 a may have a diameter greater than thetransmission gear 44 a. The circumference of the ring gear may be cut toform a power gear. The ring gear 46 a may be connected to thetransmission gear 44 a such that the ring gear and the transmission gearrotate about a common axis 52. Moreover, the ring gear 46 a and thetransmission gear 44 a may be connected such that turning thetransmission gear 44 a in one direction (e.g., clockwise) turns the ringgear 46 a in the same direction, but turning the transmission gear 44 ain the opposite direction (counter-clockwise) does not. For example, thetransmission gear 44 a may form a free wheel (also known as a block),which possess a single sprocket (or a set of sprockets) mounted on abody that contains an internal ratcheting mechanism 48 a and mounts on athreaded hub of the ring gear 46 a. Referring to FIG. 1, thetransmission gears 44 a, 44 b may be a free wheel from a ten speedbicycle. The gear sets 42 a, 42 b of the reciprocating engines 14 a, 14b may be modified to accommodate differing operating conditions. Forinstance, certain applications may require the availability of multiplegear ratios, and thus the transmission may include a gear box or similarmechanism to selectively control the overall gear ratio for the powerplant transmission over a range of gear ratios. For example, the rangeof gear ratios may be selected from gear ratios ranging from about 0.1:1to 100:1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bucket mounting frame 54 a, 54 b may besecured to the bucket 76 a, 76 b by a connecting mechanism 124 such thatthe connecting mechanism forms a swivel joint between the bucketmounting frame 54 a, 54 b and the bucket 76 a, 76 b. For example, twoconnecting mechanisms 124 may lay along an axis perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the bucket mounting frame 54 a, 54 b such that thebucket and the bucket mounting frame form a hinge. As shown, in FIG. 8,the connecting mechanism may be located below the center of gravity 126of the bucket 76. The connecting mechanism 124 may be offset from thevertical center line of the bucket so that the center of gravity of thebucket 126 creates a tipping moment about the pivot axis 128 of thehinge (see also, FIGS. 13 and 14).

Referring to FIG. 10, the bucket mounting frame 54 includes a lockingmechanism 130 for selectively locking the bucket in a verticalconfiguration. For example, the locking mechanism 130 may be a latch. Inthe exemplary embodiment, a strike 132 is secured to the bucket 76 and acatch 134 is secured to the bucket mounting frame 54. The catch 134 maybe connected to the bucket mounting frame 54 such that the catch 134oscillates about a trip switch pivot 136. The catch 134 may be biasedwith a resilient member (e.g., coil spring) 138 in a closedconfiguration 140 such that one end of the catch is interposed against(or interlocked with) the strike 132 and another portion of the catch144 projects outwardly from the bucket mounting frame 54 to form a leverarm. To release the latch 130 from the closed configuration 140, a tripswitch activator 72, which may be a static member, pushes against thelever arm 144 upward as the bucket 76 descends, causing the lever arm144 to rotate about the trip switch pivot 136 and separate the catch 134from the strike 132. This leaves the bucket 76 free to rotate about thepivot axis 128 of the connecting mechanism 124. As described above inconnection with FIG. 9, the pivot axis 128 may be located such that theweight of the bucket 76 creates a movement about the pivot axis tofacilitate tipping of the bucket and the release of water at the bucketdischarge station 68.

Referring to FIG. 11, the side of the bucket mounting frame 54 b mayinclude screws with a looped head 146. Four guide wires 148 may extendfrom the ledge 78 to the top of the frame 12 (not shown). The guidewires 148 may pass through the looped head screws 146 to provide aworking area (or track), which restrains movement of the bucket mountingframe 54.

Referring to FIG. 8, the bucket mounting frame (or horseshoe bracket) 54a of the reciprocating engine 14 a may be secured in the bucket filingstation (or top position) 66 a by a static upper stop 56 a and aselectively movable lower stop 58 a on the power plant frame 12. Theselectively movable lower stop 58 a may be formed from a latch bolt 96a. The latch bolt 96 a may be a spring loaded bolt with an angled edge.In the exemplary embodiment, the cross member 150 of the bucket mountingframe 54 a rests on top of the flat edge of two latch bolts 58 a. Eachlatch bolt may be a latch bolt from a door lock. Each latch bolt may beretracted by rotating a lever 94 a in the same manner as turning a doorknob.

Referring to FIG. 9 the trip switch activator 72 may be positioned belowthe lever arm 144 of the locking mechanism 130. Referring to FIG. 10, asthe bucket assembly 64 descends, the lever arm 144 contacts the tripswitch activator 72 pushing the lever arm 144 up and releasing thestrike 132. Referring to FIG. 9, although the trip switch activator 72may be a stop (or a block on a threaded rod) any suitable device may beused to release the locking mechanism 130 provided the device releasesthe locking mechanism 130 as the bucket assembly 64 arrives at thebucket discharge station 68. The height of the trip switch activator 72may be adjustable to allow adjustment of the location and timing atwhich the locking mechanism 130 is released to discharge water from thebucket. In addition, angled static members (or kick plates) 152 may bepositioned on the discharge side of the bucket to push the bucket 76about the pivot 128 (FIG. 8) as the bucket descends to the bucketdischarge station 68. To guide the motion and extent of bucketrepositioning at the bucket discharge station 68, kick plates 152 may belocated on opposite sides of the bucket 76.

Referring to FIGS. 12-14, each reciprocating engine 14 a, 14 b, includesa bucket recoil mechanism 154 a, 154 b, which automatically moves thebucket assembly 64 a, 64 b from the discharge configuration 156 a, 156 binto the fill configuration 158 a, 158 b. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 14, alongitudinal member 160 a, 160 b extends from the bottom of the bucket76 a, 76 b. In the exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal member 160 a,160 b is a threaded steel rod approximately 1¼ inches in length. Thelongitudinal member may be configured and dimensioned to encounter thehorizontal brace 74 of the frame 12. Preferably, the recoil rate of thebucket assembly 64 a, 64 b is sufficient to cause the impact to thelongitudinal member (or bucket kick) 160 a, 160 b from the horizontalbrace 74 to create a moment about the bucket pivot 128 that issufficient to swing the bucket 76 a, 76 b into a vertical position andsecure the bucket 76 a, 76 b in the locking mechanism 130 of the bucketassembly 64 a, 64 b.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the water distribution system may includea fifteen gallon tank (not shown), an L-shaped spigot 110, a right sidedrop basin 114, a left side drop basin 116, and associated piping andfittings 164 c for conveying water under gravity flow from the right andleft side drop basins 114, 116 to each respective bucket fill port 90 a,90 b. As shown in FIG. 1, tank 102 may have a water supply port 108 andmay receive the external water supply. The tank may be sized to equalizethe flow rate to the power plant. The tank 102 may be hydraulicallyconnected to the spigot 110. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the spigot110 may be free to rotate from a first position over the right side dropbasin 114 (FIG. 15.) and a second position over the left side drop basin116 (FIG. 16). The spigot 110 may be connected to a lever arm 98 suchthat when the lever arm swings toward the right side drop basin, thespigot is positioned over the left side drop basin. Moreover, when thelever arm swings toward the left side drop basin, the spigot may bepositioned over the right side drop basin. The piping and fittings fromthe right side drop basin 114 are configured and dimensioned to conveywater to a right side bucket fill port 90 a. The piping and fittingsfrom the left side drop basin 116 are configured and dimensioned toconvey water to the left side bucket fill port 90 b.

Additionally, the power plant 10 may include a water discharge system20. Referring to FIGS. 15-17, each reciprocating engine 14 a, 14 bdischarges water from the bucket 76 a, 76 b to a sieve (or water catch)84 a, 84 b. The water catch 84 a, 84 b is a container 86 that is mountedon a set of rollers 88 (FIG. 17). The rollers 88 are disposed on a ramp90 which slopes away from the base of the frame. As shown in FIGS. 15and 16, the water catches 84 a, 84 b are connected by an elongate member162 that is free to pivot about a point approximately midway between thewater catches. A steel cable 92 a enclosed within a brake line hoseconnects the right water catch 84 a to the latch bolt handles 94 b onthe left side of the frame. Similarly, another steel cable 92 b enclosedwithin another brake line hose connects the left water catch 84 b to thelatch bolt handles 94 a on the right side of the frame. The lever arm 98of the spigot 110 is connected to the latch bolt handles 94 a, 94 b onthe left and right sides of the frame.

The power plant 10 may include a control system 22 for operating thereciprocating engines 14 a, 14 b in alternating (or lead-lag) operation.The water catches 84 a, 84 b, spigot lever 98, and latch bolt handles 94a, 94 b may interconnect to form a mechanical control system for thepower plant. For example, in FIG. 15 the right side bucket mountingframe 54 a is in the bucket fill position, resting on the pair of latchbolts 58 a. In this operable configuration, the right side bucketmounting frame is latched to the frame 12 such that the right sidebucket is positioned under the right side bucket fill port 90 a. Bycontrast, the left side bucket mounting frame 54 b is unlatched from theframe 12 and the left side bucket assembly 64 b is free to descend withthe added weight of water that would be contained in the left sidebucket 76 b. The left side water catch 84 b is positioned at the top ofthe ramp 90 near the left side bucket discharge station 68 b.Accordingly, the left side water catch 84 b is positioned to harnesskinetic and potential energy from the water discharged at the left sidebucket discharge station 68 b. More particularly, the energy transfermay be sufficient to propel the water catch 84 b down the ramp 90 and topull the steel cable 92 b that connects the left side water catch 84 bto the right side latch bolt handles 94 a, and by extension the spigotlever 98, and the left side latch bolt handles 94 b. Additionally, theenergy transfer may be sufficient to simultaneously pivot the right sidewater catch 84 a to the top of the ramp 90 near the right side bucketdischarge station 68 a.

By contrast, in FIG. 16 the bucket mounting frame 54 b on the left siderests on the pair of latch bolts 58 b. In this operable configuration,the left side bucket mounting frame 54 b is latched securely to theframe 12 and the left side bucket assembly 64 b is positioned underneaththe left side bucket fill port 90 b. By contrast, the right side bucketmounting frame 54 a is unlatched from the frame 12 and the right sidebucket assembly 64 a is free to descend with the added weight of waterthat would be contained in the right side bucket 76 a. The right sidewater catch 84 a is positioned at the top of the ramp 90 near the rightside bucket discharge station 68 a. Accordingly, the right side watercatch 84 a is positioned to harness kinetic and potential energy fromthe water discharged at the right side bucket discharge station 68 a.More particularly, the energy transfer may be sufficient to propel thewater catch down the ramp 90 and to pull the steel cable 92 a thatconnects the right side water catch 84 a to the left side latch bolthandles 94 b, and by extension the spigot lever 98, and the right sidelatch bolt handles 94 a. Additionally, the energy transfer may besufficient to simultaneously pivot the left side water catch 84 b to thetop of the ramp 90 near the left side bucket discharge station 68 b.

In use, water is delivered to the equalization tank 102 at the top ofthe power plant. Referring to FIG. 4, under gravity flow, water exitsthe equalization tank 102 through a series of pipes and fittings 164 a,164 b and is delivered to the spigot 110 which is positioned over theright side drop basin 114 or the left side drop basin 116. Referring toFIG. 15, the spigot 110 initially may be positioned above the right sidedrop basin 114 to deliver water to the right side bucket 76 a, as theleft side bucket 76 b, which has already been filled with water,descends. The right bucket mounting frame 54 a is seated securely on theright side latch bolts 58 a. This positions the right side bucketassembly 64 a under the water discharge port 90 a at the right sidebucket fill station 66 a. Referring to FIG. 3, as the left side bucketassembly 64 b descends from the left side bucket fill station 66 b tothe left side bucket discharge station 68 b, the left side bucketmounting frame 54 b pulls the left side drive chain 118 b over the leftside transmission gear 44 b. The rotation of the left side transmissiongear 44 b rotates the left side ring gear 46 b and the left side ringgear 46 b rotates the left side power gear (not shown) that is fixed onthe power shaft 16. Toward the end of the power stroke, the left sidebucket assembly 64 b approaches the left side trip switch activator 72b. Referring to FIG. 10, the trip switch activator 72 lifts the leverarm 144 up to release the strike 132. As depicted in FIG. 17, theunlatched bucket 76 a rotates away from the bucket mounting frame 54 aand the water inside the bucket is dumped. This produces a weightimbalance between the empty bucket 76 a and the counterweight 120 a,which descends pulling the bucket mounting assembly 64 a upward. As thebucket assembly 64 a passes by the horizontal brace 74, the longitudinalmember (or bucket kick) 160 a on the bottom of the bucket 76 a hits thehorizontal brace 74. The force of this collision pivots the bucket 76 ainto an upright, vertical position and re-latches the bucket to thebucket mounting frame 54 a. Referring to FIG. 15, water discharged fromthe bucket 76 b falls on the left side water catch 84 b and pushes itdown the ramp 90. The movement of the left side water catch 84 b pullsthe attached cable 92 b, which redirects the spigot 98 to the left sidewater drop basin 116 and retracts the right side latch bolts 58 a torelease the right side bucket mounting frame 54 a and start the powerstroke of the right reciprocal engine 14 a. By contrast, the left sidebucket mounting frame 54 b moves upward and slides against the anglededges of the latch bolts 58 b. The angled edges of the latch bolts allowthe left side bucket mounting frame 54 b to push the latch bolts 58 binto the frame and pass. Once the bucket mounting frame passes the latchbolts 58 b, the respective latch springs re-extend the latch bolts 58 b.The bucket mounting frame 54 b is raised by the counterweight 120 buntil the top of the cross member of the bucket mounting frame 150 bcontacts the left side fill position stop 56 b. The left side bucketmounting frame 54 b then seats securely on the latch bolts 58 b. Thispositions the left side bucket 76 b under the water fill port at theleft side bucket fill station 66 b (FIG. 12). Preferably, the left sidebucket 76 b will fill to near capacity during the time the right sidebucket assembly 64 a descends from the right side fill station 66 a tothe right side discharge station 68 a. Upon reaching the right sidedischarge station 68 a, the right side trip switch activator 72 areleases the right side locking mechanism. Water in the right sidebucket 76 a is discharged. The right side bucket assembly 64 a is raisedby the counter weight 120 a and reset to the right side bucket fillstation 66 a in the manner described for the left side reciprocatingengine 14 b. In this manner, lead-lag operation of the reciprocatingengines 14 a, 14 b of the power plant 10 may be implemented.

FIG. 18 shows a schematic view of a power plant according to the presentinvention. The power plant 10 may be situated down gradient of ahatchery fish tank 166 and up gradient of a pond 168. The power plant 10may be designed for low head and low flow operating conditions. Morespecifically, the power plant may operate with a water flow of 5 gallonsper minute or less and a total head of approximately 5 feet. The powerplant, however, may be designed for larger (or smaller) flows. Forinstance, at larger flow rates the buckets may be greater in size than5-gallon buckets. Thus, the bucket and bucket assemblies and othercomponents may be sized or optimized based on the flow rate. As shown inFIG. 18, a fish tank 166 may be supplied water for a single pass flowthrough by a spring or other water supply having a total dynamic head ofapproximately 18 feet.

Discharge from the hatchery fish tank may drain to a collectionreservoir or equalization tank 102 associated with the low flow powerplant. At a discharge flow rate of 5 gallons per minute, the low flowpower plant may be operable provided there is sufficient verticalelevation between the collection reservoir and the discharge of the lowflow power plant. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the difference inelevation between the collection reservoir 102 and the discharge of thelow flow power plant is approximately 6 feet. The discharge of the lowflow power plant may flow under gravity through a conduit or channel 172to a watercourse or sanitary sewer.

In the example depicted in FIG. 18, the power plant discharge flows bygravity through a buried pipe 172 to a pond 168 situated at a lowerelevation. The low flow power plant depicted in FIG. 18 may accumulatewater as a working fluid under low flow conditions and transfer thepotential energy of the accumulated water into a continuous rotationalmovement of a drive shaft. The rotating driveshaft may be coupled to adevice and used as a source of mechanical power. For example, therotating drive shaft may be connected to a pump that may be used torecycle water from the pond 168 to the fish tank 166. In anotherexample, the drive shaft may be coupled to an aeration system.

Referring to FIG. 19, the rotating driveshaft 16 may be coupled to agenerator 176 which transforms the rotational movement of the driveshaftinto electricity. The electricity may be used to power an electricaldevice 178, including, without limitation, process controls, a computer,communication devices, a crank radio, a battery charging station, orother electrical or electronic equipment.

Referring to FIG. 20, the rotating driveshaft 16 may be coupled to ahydraulic pump 182 which may be used to force hydraulic working fluidthrough a hydraulic circuit. In this manner, hydraulic fluid may betransmitted to a hydraulically driven apparatus 184 (e.g., a hydraulicmotor or cylinder) from a reservoir 186.

Referring to FIG. 21, the power plant 10 may be connected in series suchthat the discharge of one unit at a higher elevation is collected andconveyed to another unit situated at a lower elevation. For example, inFIG. 21 four low flow power plants of FIG. 1 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d arecombined in series. Multiple unit configurations may be used inbuildings or suitable topographic areas to capture energy from capturedstorm water, discharged grey water or waste water. As described above,the gearing of the reciprocating engines may be adjusted to accommodatediffering flow conditions. The power take off 174 a, 174 b, 174 c, 174 dof the four units depicted in FIG. 12 are each connected to a hydraulicpump 180 a, 180 b, 180 c, 180 d, which are connected in series tooperate a hydraulic device 184. Other process controls, such as flowrate valves, may be used to regulate operation of the power plant. Thepower for operating these process controls and equipment may be derivedfrom one or more of the low flow power plants in a multiple unitconfiguration.

While it has been illustrated and described what at present areconsidered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it willbe understood by those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the true scope of the invention.Additionally, features and/or elements from any embodiment may be usedsingly or in combination with other embodiments. Therefore, it isintended that this invention not be limited to the particularembodiments disclosed herein, but that the invention include allembodiments falling within the scope and the spirit of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for harnessing power from a sourceof working fluid comprising: a power shaft which comprises, a first end,a second end spaced from the first end, and a first power gear disposedbetween the first end and the second end; a first reciprocating enginesituated proximate to the power shaft and connected to the first powergear for delivering a power stroke and which comprises a first bucketassembly which includes a first bucket mounting frame, a first bucket, afirst connecting mechanism that connects the first bucket to the firstbucket mounting frame to form a first hinge that pivots about a firstpivot axis such that the first bucket creates a turning moment about thefirst pivot axis, and a first locking mechanism for selectively lockingthe first bucket in the first bucket mounting frame; a first bucketfilling station for filling the first bucket with working fluid andwhich comprises a first upper stop, a first lower stop, the first lowerstop being selectively moveable between a first deployed position and afirst retracted position, and a first lever for selectively retractingthe first lower stop and which is moveable between a first closedposition and a first open position such that when the first lever is inthe first closed position the first stop is in the first deployedposition and when the first lever is in the first open position thefirst stop is in the first retracted position; a working fluiddistribution system for delivering working fluid to the firstreciprocating engine which comprises, a tank for storing working fluid;a first fill port in fluid communication with the tank; and a workingfluid discharge system for discharging working fluid from the firstreciprocating engine to complete the power stroke, and which comprises afirst trip switch activator for releasing the first bucket assemblylocking mechanism; and a control system for resetting the firstreciprocating engine following the power stroke.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first reciprocating engine further comprises: afirst counterweight, a first drive chain which comprises a first portionbeing connected to the bucket assembly, a second portion being connectedto the first counterweight, and a third portion interconnecting thefirst portion and the second portion, and a first gear set whichcomprises a first ring gear (46 a) in working contact with the firstpower gear for transmitting rotational motion to the power shaft.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the first reciprocating engine furthercomprises a first positioning gear being disposed between the first gearset and the first counter weight.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe first gear set further comprises: a first transmission gear (48 a)in working contact with the third portion of the first drive chain, anda first ratcheting mechanism (44 a) being disposed between the firstring gear and first the transmission gear such that rotating the firsttransmission gear drives the first ring gear in the same direction andcounter-rotating the first transmission gear does not affect rotation ofthe first ring gear.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: asecond power gear disposed on the power shaft between the first powergear and the second end; and a second reciprocating engine proximate tothe power shaft and being connected to the second power gear, whichcomprises, a second bucket assembly, and a second gear set whichcomprises a second ring gear (46 b) in working contact with the secondpower gear for transmitting rotational motion to the power shaft.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the second reciprocating engine furthercomprises: a second counterweight, a second drive chain which comprisesa fourth portion connected to the second bucket assembly, a fifthportion connected to the second counterweight, and a sixth portioninterconnecting the fourth portion and the fifth portion.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the second reciprocating engine furthercomprises: a second transmission gear (48 b) in working contact with thesixth portion of the second drive chain, and a second ratchetingmechanism (44 b) being disposed between the second ring gear and thesecond transmission gear such that rotating the second transmission geardrives the second ring gear in the same direction and counter-rotatingthe second transmission gear does not affect rotation of the second ringgear, and a second positioning gear being disposed between the secondgear set and the second counter weight.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5,further comprising a second bucket filling station which comprises asecond upper stop, [the second upper stop being a second static member]a second lower stop, the second lower stop being selectively moveablebetween a second deployed position and a second retracted position, anda second lever for selectively retracting the second lower stop whichcomprises a second closed position and a second open position such thatwhen the second lever is positioned in a second closed position thesecond stop is in the second deployed position and when the second leveris in the second open position the first stop is in the second retractedposition.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the water distributionsystem further comprises: an inflow structure in fluid communicationwith the tank for conveying working fluid to the apparatus, an outflowstructure in fluid communication with the tank, a first drop basinsituated hydraulically down gradient of the tank and located below afirst target location, a second drop basin situated hydraulically downgradient of the tank and located below a second target location, aspigot in fluid communication with the outflow structure and disposedbetween the tank and the first and second drop basins, such that thespigot is moveable from the first target location to the second targetlocation; a first fill port in fluid communication with the first dropbasin and situated above the first bucket assembly, a second fill portin fluid communication with the second drop basin and situated above thesecond bucket assembly.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the firstlocking mechanism comprises a first strike secured to the first bucket,and a first catch, which comprises a first lever arm, and which issecured to the first bucket mounting frame, the first catch beingmovable between a first closed configuration such that the first strikeis interlocked with the first catch to selectively lock the first bucketin the first bucket mounting frame, and a first open configuration suchthe first strike is not interlocked with the first catch, and the firstcatch is biased in the first closed configuration and oscillation of thefirst lever arm away from the first closed configuration positions thecatch in the first open configuration.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the first bucket mounting frame includes a plurality of guidesto restrain movement of the bucket mounting frame, and the working fluiddischarge system further comprises a first pair of kick plates disposedbelow the first bucket assembly and a second pair of kick platesdisposed below the second bucket assembly.
 12. The apparatus of claim11, wherein the control system further comprises: a first ramp situatedbelow the first pair of kick plates, a first water catch disposed on thefirst ramp, the first water catch being linked to the second lever suchthat movement of the first water catch down the first ramp causes thesecond lever to move to the second position, and causes the spigot tomove to the first target location.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the control system further comprises: a second ramp situatedbelow the second pair of kick plates, a second water catch disposed onthe first ramp, the first water catch being linked to the first lever,such that movement of the second water catch down the second ramp causesthe first lever to move to the second position, and causes the spigot tomove to the second target location.
 14. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein movement of the first water catch down the first ramp causes thesecond water catch to move up the second ramp, and movement of thesecond water catch down the second ramp causes the first water catch tomove up the first ramp.
 15. The apparatus of claim 16, furthercomprising a frame for supporting the first reciprocating engine
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the first bucket includes a first kickand the frame includes a brace such that upward movement of the firstbucket assembly away from the first pair of kick plates causes the braceto strike the first kick, rotating the first bucket into a verticalorientation and setting the first locking mechanism in the first closedconfiguration.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second end isconnected to a mechanical device such that rotation of the second endpowers the mechanical device.
 18. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein themechanical device is selected from the group consisting of a pump or agenerator.
 19. A method of harnessing power from a source of watercomprising: providing the apparatus of claim 1; connecting the source ofwater to the tank; filling the first bucket with water at the firstbucket filling station; retracting the first lower stop to initiate afirst power stroke; lowering the first bucket toward the first tripswitch activator; rotating the first gear set to drive the first powergear and rotate the power shaft; releasing the first bucket assemblylocking mechanism to complete the first power stroke; discharging waterfrom the first reciprocating engine; securing the first bucket on thefirst lower stop; and powering a mechanical device which is connected tothe power shaft.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:providing a second reciprocating engine; and operating the first andsecond reciprocating engines in lead lag operation to rotate the powershaft.